S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Summer School 2005 ~ August 15-18th
Mental Health Promotion
Identity, Culture and Power
Evaluation Report
Hosted By:
The Prairie Region Health Promotion
Research Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK
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Contents
Executive Summary
1
Overview of Summer School 2005
2-3
Program Design and Organization
3-5
Media Strategy and Marketing
6-7
Attendance, Response and Methodology
7-8
Monday, August 15th
11-14
Tuesday, August 16th
15-23
Wednesday, August 17th
24-31
Thursday, August 18th
32-36
Summer School Overall Assessments
37-45
Background Information
45
Final Summary & Summer School Training Proposal
46-49
Budget Synopsis
50
Appendix:
Media articles
51-56
Agenda of Summer School 2005
57
Report Prepared by:
Lewis Williams, PhD
Terri Peterson, BSW
Nola Graham
Janet Wagner
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Executive Summary
It gives me great pleasure to present the evaluation report for Summer School
2005, hosted by the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre in
collaboration with our partners. Summer School 2005 was held on campus at the
University of Saskatchewan from Monday 15th August – Thursday 18th August
2005. It was attended by 185 people, inclusive of PRHPRC staff, keynote
speakers and Summer School Organizing Committee members.
Partners with the Centre in planning and organizing the event were:
• First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada;
• Indigenous People’s Health Research Centre,
• Keewatin Yatthe Regional Health Authority;
• Mamawetan Churchill Regional Health Authority;
• Public Health Agency of Canada,
• Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region;
• Population Health and Community Care Branches; Saskatchewan Health;
Saskatoon Health Region;
• The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute;
• Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and Extension
Division; University of Saskatchewan.
This evaluation represents the work of many people in planning, participating and
finally evaluating the Summer School. It provides information concerning the
organization of the Summer School and combines participant and planner
feedback on individual learning sessions and meeting overall learning objectives
of participants. It also documents key challenges, changes to the environment
since the 2005 Summer School and accordingly makes a series of
recommendations for supporting future health promotion learning in the Province
and Region.
Our collective assessment is that against the backdrop of environmental changes
and the challenges of being a brand new (PRHPRC) team, is that the terrific
combination of the SS Organizing Committee, SS participants and PRHPRC staff
has made this event an astounding success! We look forward to working with you
in the future,
Dr Lewis Williams,
1
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Overview of Summer School 2005
Summer School 2005 had two broad overarching goals:
• To strengthen community and organizational capacity to develop a
range of effective health promotion initiatives in addressing underlying
health determinants of mental health and well-being, and
• To enable the creation of health-related policies and programs which
support the self-determination of a variety of cultural communities.
With these broad goals in mind, the program was then tailored specifically
around the theme of “identity, culture and power”. This theme was largely chosen
by the Summer School Organizing Committee based on the evidence that mental
well-being is unevenly distributed across populations and that those groups who
experience mental health disparities are those at the economic and cultural1
margins of societies. Accordingly, a strong sense of cultural identity and access
to mental health determinants such as income, housing, language, land and
public policies which support this are integral to mental well-being. Mental health
promotion (MHP) practice, then, must take account of this evidence in program
design. The program was accordingly designed to introduce key MHP concepts
and theory (Monday and Tuesday), to consider their practical application in MHP
interventions (Wednesday) and to focus on the wider policy, practice and
research context (Thursday).
Learning Objectives:
• Participants will have a clear understanding of the conceptual terrain of
mental health promotion (MHP), including underlying knowledge systems,
key concepts and approaches.
• Participants will understand the relationships between identity, culture,
power and mental well-being from a variety of cultural perspectives.
• Participants will gain understanding of how colonization and current
health- policies shape health contexts and programming approaches.
• Participants will gain understanding of Aboriginal and Indigenous wellbeing concepts
• Participants will be able to identify where their work sits on the continuum
of approaches to mental well-being (Treatment, Prevention, Promotion
and Development) and the potential resulting level of change.
• Participants will be able to critically evaluate MHP interventions according
to key criteria such as underpinning concepts, principles of community
engagement, use of power, practitioner role, and evaluation.
1
The term ‘culture’ is used in a broad sense and refers to worldviews, conventions, norms and symbols
used by particular groups. It may be applied to ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, ability, religious, rural/
urban and other types of groupings. However, given the mental health disparities experienced by
Indigenous peoples, the colonial power relations that continue to shape these and the growing Aboriginal
population in Saskatchewan, the program had a significant Aboriginal component.
2
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•
Participants will gain mutual understanding of the key policy,
organizational and practitioner factors influencing the implementation (i.e.,
barriers, enablers) of MHP programs.
This program was designed to have applicability for a broad range of people –
including practitioners, managers and policy makers working to re-orientate the
health system to academics, social activists and those working in grass roots
organizations seeking to effect change. It aimed to reach those engaged in a
variety of mental health promotion related activities, including the application of
health promoting practices within therapeutic contexts, primary health, or those
working in broader community action and public policy advocacy activities aimed
at acting on the structural determinants of mental well-being.
Intended key outcomes:
• Knowledge building and skills development
• Network building
• Population health approaches to mental wellbeing are on the policy
agenda
• Strengthened research agenda
Program Design and Organization
The program was largely designed by the Summer School (SS) Organizing
Committee. Lewis Williams, Director of the Prairie Region Health Promotion
Research Centre had overall responsibility for the Summer School and program
design. She selected the broad theme of ‘mental health promotion’ and in
November 2004 invited a number of provincial partners to be members of the
Summer School Organizing Committee. The Committee met bi-monthly from that
time to July 2005 for the purpose of deciding on program themes, speakers,
learning design, broad organizational and marketing aspects. Responsibilities
were devolved to five working groups which met on a more regular basis: 1)
Program Design; 2) Organizational Aspects; 3) Fundraising and Marketing; (4)
Discussion Group Design and Facilitator Training and 5) Media Strategy. A
Summer School Coordinator was hired on a part time basis to link the work of all
these groups together. The organizing structure for the Summer School is
diagrammatically represented on the following page.
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PRAIRIE REGION HEALTH PROMOTION
RESEARCH CENTER
Summer School 2005
Organizational Flow Diagram
Dr. Lewis
Lewis
Dr.
Williams
Williams
Director,
Director, PRHPRC
PRHPRC
Summer School
Summer
School
Committee
Members
Terri Peterson
Peterson
Terri
SS Coordinator
Coordinator
Nola Graham
Nola
(GradGraham
student)
(Grad Student)
Terri:
Terri:
Program
Program
Committee
Committee
Janet
Janet Wagner:
Wagner:
Organization &
Organization
&
Budget
Budget
Cathy Nilson:
Cathy
Nilson:
Lewis &
& Cathy:
Cathy:
Lewis
Promotions
Promotions
Media
The program design was quite organic in its development. In consultation with
the Committee, Lewis wrote broad learning goals and objectives. The specifics
were then developed within smaller topic-orientated planning groups and in
collaboration with invited speakers. Presentation content shifted over this time,
as conversations, insights, and negotiations occurred to accommodate people’s
perspectives around the central Summer School themes and concepts. The two
panels each met twice as a group to discuss concepts and negotiate the
interfaces between individual presentations.
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Previous summer school evaluations indicate that over past years the program
style changed considerably from a conference style summer school to an indepth learning design focused on an adult education, learner centred approach.
A key difference between the two distinct approaches was greater emphasis on
workshops and the participatory, community development process used to
develop the latter. The Summer School 2005 Organizing Committee’s decision
was to strike a balance between these two approaches, largely for the reason
that PRHPRC did not have the financial resources as in previous years to
undertake an in-depth adult education learning design that utilized a learnercentred participatory approach.
The following adult education principles were incorporated into the summer
school:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Theory is followed by exploration and practice
Skilled facilitation helps small groups work together
Opportunity for reflection assists learning
Multiple ways of learning are offered
Learning is centered on issues identified as important to the learners.
Starting where the learner is.
The design incorporated keynote sessions on major themes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mental health disparities and key mental health promotion concepts
Ethical space between Cree and Western knowledge systems
Power, culture and self-determination / agency; the mental health
promotion practitioner as an agent of self-determination; and the
application of these concepts to rural, migrant, mental health service user,
and Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and transgender (GLBT) communities.
Applying a critical lens when framing issues for intervention drawing on
the example of FASD
General concepts in the development of mental health promotion
interventions and evidence based practice
Examples of best practice: building practitioner capacity for integration of
addiction and mental health services and mental health promotion in the
workplace
The Scottish experience of implementing a mental health promotion
agenda
Challenges and opportunities re implementing mental health promotion in
Saskatchewan and Canada: policy, practice and research
Intersectoral action for mental wellbeing.
Discussion groups formed an important part of the learning design. This aspect
of the program was coordinated by SS Committee members Nikki Gerrard and
Sharyn Swann in collaboration with SS coordinator Terri Peterson. Each
discussion group had a facilitator and retained the same membership throughout
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the summer school. There were 15 groups with each group meeting five times
over the duration of the event. The general purpose of the discussion groups was
to:
•
•
•
•
To provide an opportunity to process information acquired through
keynotes
To provide an open forum for discussion of mental health promotion
issues
To stimulate new ideas, projects and research by exposing participants to
different perspectives
To facilitate the transfer of knowledge to practice
Learning objectives were established for each discussion group based on the
earlier learning session. Training was under taken with the facilitators and a
training package designed. This package included: Role Expectations & Ground
Rules; Main Learning Objectives & Questions; Discussion Group Outline;
Introductory Material; Facilitator Participant List; Glossary of Terms; and a Daily
Comment Package.
Each participant received a binder containing: list of facilitators and participants;
the program; descriptions, learning objectives, suggested readings, biographical
and supporting learning information such as copies of power point presentations
related to each learning session; a glossary of terms; logistical information; and a
bibliography of related books on sale at the on site bookstore. The binder also
contained a CD Rom containing a variety of mental health promotion resources.
Media Strategy
A media strategy was developed. Key objectives were 1) to raise awareness of
mental health disparities between groups and the structural determinants that
shape these; 2) to highlight the importance of working to influence the structural
determinants of mental well-being alongside treatment oriented approaches and
3) to contribute to shifting programming, policy development and funding streams
towards population health promotion approaches.
An article outlining mental health disparities in Canada, distinguishing between
population based and treatment based approaches to mental well-being and
current practice and policy challenges was written and circulated to a number of
National and local sources. Media Advisory notices about the Summer School
and its program were sent to Radio, TV and News papers.
Articles were published as Opinion pieces in the Star Phoenix, Leader Post,
Western Producer and Campus News. The Star Phoenix also published an
interview with keynote speaker Ovide Mercredi (Appendix). Lewis Williams and
Georgina Jolibois, Mayor of La Loche were interviewed live on CTV and Lewis
Williams and Nayyar Javed were interviewed by SHAW cable.
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Not as much media coverage was achieved as had been hoped for. This was
possibly due to a combination of circumstances including the timing of the SS
and key journalists being on vacation, a strike at CBC and lack of resources on
the part of the Summer School to follow up media coverage.
Summer School Funding and Marketing
Funding for the Summer School was obtained from the following sources:
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Health Canada, Saskatchewan Health:
Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
College of Medicine, U of S
VP Research Office, U of S
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
Total Funding:
$25,000
$10,000
$10,000
$4,000
$2,250
$2,500
$53,750
Attendance and response to the
evaluation request
The evaluation of the 2005 Summer School consists of two components: 1)
participant evaluations combined with feedback from discussion group facilitators
and committee members; and 2) feedback from committee members on the
planning process. Information concerning the planning process was provided
through written comments from committee members which was supplemented by
group discussion at the post summer school Committee meeting.
There were 185 participants at Summer School 2005 including staff, presenters,
and committee members who also participated but did not fill out evaluations.
The number used for respondent percentages was 146, as one committee
member also filled in an evaluation.
The average response rate (handed in their evaluations) was 45% of the total
participants. The response rate ranged from 65% to 13% depending on the
session. Percentages of participants handing in evaluation sheets decreased
significantly over the four days. The inconsistent response rate may be due to
three factors. The first and most significant reason was how the evaluations were
facilitated. The facilitators of the discussion groups were responsible to point out
and collect the evaluations but not all of the participants took part in the
discussion groups thus were not supported in the evaluation process. The
second and related reason may have been the expectation of the evaluations at
the end of each summer school day without setting aside time for their
completion outside of the discussion groups. The third reason may have been
the length and the detail of the evaluations.
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Methodology
The evaluation was designed to provide feedback on each learning session,
each day as a whole and the overall summer school. Learning objectives were
written for each learning session in consultation with keynote speakers, panelists,
and the Discussion Group Facilitators Committee. Given the organic nature of
the program’s development and unpreventable changes to the program on two
occasions, the content of the presentations at times diverged to various extents
from the previously set learning objectives. Where relevant this is included as a
footnote.
The response to each scaled question (objective) was calculated and averaged
with the actual number which responded to that specific question. Each scaled
question shows the percentage response. The qualitative comments were
chosen to be representational of participant’s comments. Comments were
included on the basis that they were mentioned more than once or that we had
received feedback similar to them (orally) during the summer school. Our
intention is to share many of the diverse perspectives to illustrate the flavour and
response to Summer School 2005.
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Monday, August 15th, 2005
Total Respondent: 95 people (65%)
Welcome and Opening Keynote: “Taking a Population
Health Approach to Mental Well-being: Identity, Culture
and Power”
Dr. Lewis Williams
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding of the
present key mental health issues?
Did the presentation introduce to
Summer School 2005?
Did the presentation introduce the
topic “Mental Health Promotion:
Identity, Culture, and Power?”
Did you gain an understanding of the
‘current practice tensions’?
Will you use the information in your
work?
Yes! Some
What
63
29
67% 31%
58
27
64% 30%
78
9
87% 10%
66
25
71% 27%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
3
3%
3
4
3%
3%
2
2
2%
2%
1
2
1%
2%
33
40%
55
60%
13
14%
8
9%
37
41%
25
24%
6
6%
4
4%
3
3%
9
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Comments:
“Nice opening- easy to understand why we are here and why it is important.”
“Very informative and inclusive. I appreciate the wide spectrum of identity (ies)
Dr. Williams addressed.”
“Excellent start to conference.”
“Very interesting. I’m very pleased to see how much of the info is based on
Aboriginal people!!”
“Keynote was good for setting the table for the week.”
“Cultural Entertainment was wonderful.”
10
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Monday, August 15th, 2005
Total Respondents: 94 people (64%)
Discussion Group 1
“Getting the Ball Rolling”
August 15, 2005 ~ 3:45pm-5:00pm
Did you meet as a group?
(E.g. introductions, ground
rules)
Did you have the chance
to ask questions about the
summer school?
Did you debrief the
‘high/low’ tea experience?
Did you ‘unpack’ the ideas
introduced in the opening
keynote?
(E.g. equity, power,
culture, mental health
determinants)
Did the discussion group
support your knowledge
building and help you
make connections with
other participants?
Yes
Some
What
90
1
99% 1%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
74
7
83% 8%
1
1%
85
96%
69
76%
3
3%
21
23%
1
1%
1
1%
72
13
83% 15%
1
1%
6
7%
1
1%
1
1%
Comments:
“I truly appreciated the opportunity to meet and discuss the issues and topics
introduced and gain differing perspectives. There seems to be a consensus on
many issues.”
“Very diverse and information group.”
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Monday, August 15th, 2005
Total Respondents: 42 people (29%)
“The Impact of Colonization on
Mental Well-being”
Ovide Mercredi
Monday, August 15th, 2005
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Will you use the information in your
work?
26
70%
17
44%
Some
What
7
19%
13
33%
Maybe Not
Really
2
1
5%
3%
6
2
15%
5%
No!
1
3%
1
3%
Comments:
“Very interesting presentation…wished he could of spoken longer”
“I found Mr. Mercredi’s words to be powerful…”
“Aware of the issues and redundant for me”
“Very inspiring! Sparked a personal fire to continue to promote social
change. Yes my world would be more complete with two healthy nations”
“It was very interesting to hear such a dynamic speaker; however I did not
agree with many of the view points that he had.”
“It was very helpful in ‘understanding’ where first nations people are
coming from”
“Good presentation…too long though”
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Monday, August 15th, 2005
Total Respondents: 41 people (28%)
1. What is your key insight from today?
“Validated many of the factors affecting mental health of individuals and
how important equity is in different cultures and between individuals.”
“Pot latches were banned for BC First Nation and others for 72 years
ending in 1950. Forbidden to share. Food is a weapon.”
“On the determinants of health the multi factors that influence them.”
“Need to help the policy makers understand how critical these issues are
and how they impact on long-term and health.”
“What you see is not always what you get. (ie. high/low tea).”
“Power brings incredible responsibility and a moral obligation to help
those who could use a hand.”
“There is almost always an inequity in power, no matter what
group/organization/family you are in.”
2. What is one way that you can apply your learning from today?
“Always keep cultural group awareness in mind and when meeting
challenges (barriers) re-examine cultural group dynamics and go further
upstream to discover root cause(s) to the challenges.”
“To remain conscious of the shifting perspectives-individual community,
global.”
“Working with a more holistic view of socio-economic issues.”
“Networking, challenging my pre-conceived thoughts, beliefs.”
“Differences are excellent.”
“To apply these determinants to taking my clients history to see how these
apply.”
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3. Based on today’s experiences, what is one thing you wish to
learn more about?
“Cultural identities, especially Aboriginal. Also want to learn more about
cultural group dynamics.”
“Factors & how to improve these in my client profile & community.”
“Broad based approached to working together with a common direction.”
“How to change existing Mental Health care system. Grassroots level
impact. How to promote positive cross cultural interaction.”
“Life in Northern Sask.”
“Resilience children’s mental health.”
“How to bring Health Promotion factors to the individual therapy session.”
4. Other Comments:
“Learned more form group discussion, than keynotes. Enjoyed networking
and meeting new people.”
“Good energy in the room & presenters. Wonder if “entertainment” could
have been one item on each of three different time slots. Liked the youth &
ethnic emphasis of the “fun”.”
“Interesting concepts presented on Day 1. Found Ovide Mercredi’s
presentation interesting and provocative in some ways. Wished he could
have spoken longer.”
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 85 people (58%)
“Ethical Space”
Willie Ermine
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding of the
key ideas presented?
Will you use the information in your
work?
73
87%
73
86%
53
66%
Some
What
8
10%
9
11%
17
21%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
2
1
2%
1%
1
2
1%
2%
8
2
10%
3%
Comments:
“Absolutely interesting, thought provoking,& sometimes hard to grasp”
“Powerful & Potent”
“Where are the other first nations – we have the Cree perspective only”
“A very useful concept…speaker was very respectful & clear”
“Inspiring”
“…it wasn’t a lecture on how to think but made us think!”
“…I would definitely like to learn more”
“Amazing, empowering, and hopeful”
“…reminded me of how to bridge the gap often perceived between cultures
and to meet as humans – open, respectful, &
able to listen”
“..a positive approach to examining relationships”
“…more time is needed for questions and answers”
15
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:15
10/5/05 11:21:20 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 87 people (60%)
“Open Discussion”
Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona &
Willie Ermine
YES!
Did you find the open discussion
informative?
Was the discussion helpful for you in
making connections between the ideas
presented by Ovide and Willie and
mental health promotion work with
Aboriginal communities?
Will you use the information gained in
your work?
Maybe
26
39%
22
43%
Some
What
33
49%
18
35%
No!
1
1%
7
14%
Not
Really
7
10%
11
22%
24
39%
21
34%
10
16%
4
7%
2
3%
3
6%
Comments:
“Disappointed that Ovide Mercredi wasn’t there to participate2. I felt some of the
questions posed by participants were not answered.”
“Would have been more ‘learner centered’ if this session was immediately
following by a group session where we could have done an exercise in self
discovery”
“Ovide did not attend, so connections were missing”
“Basically, the information was to give us some understanding one’s history,
knowledge system, and competency. No direct info on health ‘promotion’”
“Very stimulating food for thought”
“These two (Ovide and Willie) were great speakers, they were very grounded in
their teachings. I do wish we had more time for the content”
“Small group discussion is more valuable to me for learning, unfortunate that the
quantity of excellent info does not allow for more discussion time in smaller
groups.”
“It was very distracting to have Lewis Mehl-Madrona work on his laptop while the
other presenters were on the stage.”
2
Due to unforeseen circumstances Ovide Mercredi was unable to attend the Tuesday morning discussion
session.
16
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:16
10/5/05 11:21:21 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total respondents: 85 people (58%)
“Landscapes of Self Determination:
Power, Culture, & Equity”
Dr. Lewis Williams
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding of the
ways in which dynamics of power and
culture influence people’s ability to be
self-determining?
Did you gain an understanding of mental
health promotion as a practice of
facilitating self-determination?
Did you gain an understanding of how
mental health promotion practitioners
might draw on cultural, professional and
organizational forms of power to facilitate
self determination or increase mental
health equity?
Will you use the information in your
work?
Maybe
50
61%
44
54%
Some
What
27
45%
27
33%
No!
1
1%
8
10%
Not
Really
3
4%
3
4%
37
45%
31
38%
6
7%
6
7%
3
3%
41
50%
27
33%
7
9%
4
5%
3
4%
39
55%
18
25%
9
13%
4
6%
2
3%
1
1%
0
Comments:
“The concepts are new and will take some time to absorb”
“Was very short in order to stay on time – will be good to have more time in the
next days to put the info into a context of practice”
“Lewis’s style is relaxed and comfortable. Good use of
newspaper headlines to show examples of the power of ‘names’ and labels.
“Excellent! I enjoyed the discussion of community women’s groups in Aotearoa”
“I appreciated the diversity of perspectives that were presented. It provides an
opportunity to learn from other cultures & countries”
“Too short for all the info Lewis had to share”
“It is distracting sometimes when time
constraints are mentioned. We wish you
would have had more time to speak3.”
“The presentation was far too short. I could have used more info & benefited from
her experience &wisdom.”
3
Unforeseen group process issues arose from the previous session which required extra time to deal with
before this keynote could commence. This meant that Lewis Williams had to make ‘on the spot’ decision
regarding how to condense her 60 minute keynote into 40 minutes in order to keep the Summer School
Program running on time.
17
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:17
10/5/05 11:21:23 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 82 people (56%)
Panel Discussion
“Landscapes of Self
Determination:
Migrant, Rural,
and Service Users”
Nikki Gerrard, Nayyar Javed,
Pheobe Friesen & Judy White
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain insight into how mental
health promotion and its connection
with self determination apply to
different population groups– i.e.
migrant, rural and service users?
Will you use the information in your
work?
Maybe Not
Really
1
1
1%
1%
1
1
1%
1%
No!
69
88%
66
83%
Some
What
8
10%
12
15%
55
69%
21
26%
3
4%
0
1
1%
0
0
Comments:
“Particularly liked Nikki’s presentation…well balanced with + & -“
“Loved the panel & particularly the messages regarding how to/what to
provide service in a respectful way that puts humanity at the forefront”
“Great Panel! I would like to have heard an entire panel of service users”
“Rural perspective and service users”
“Very powerful to hear from service user presenter”
“I found this presentation more beneficial as it presented a more ‘global’
view of issues”
“…excellent food for thought…”
“…passionate & informed…”
“…disabled voice not present…”
“…great speakers…”
18
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:18
10/5/05 11:21:24 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 81 people (55%)
Panel Discussion
“Expanding our Understanding of Culture:
Sexuality, Gender, and Mental Health”
Julie Richards, Michelle Martin, Raven Sinclair, & Bruce Garman
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding of
sexuality and gender as distinct cultural
identities?
74
95%
66
87%
63
Did you gain an understanding into the 85%
ways in which these identities intersect
and are shaped by power relations to
influence mental well-being?
Will you use the information in your
55
work?
76%
Some
What
4
5%
9
12%
Maybe
Not
Really
6
8%
4
4%
1
1%
7
9%
8
11%
2
3%
No!
1
1%
Comments:
“Very interesting personal perspectives…I appreciated one openness and
humour of the presenters.”
“Excellent speakers & strong voices…excellent diversity represented”
“I struggle with the fact that I have more sympathy for this cultural group
than the aboriginal group and I realize I need more compassion &
knowledge”
“It was a good change to listen to personal stories. It was an opportunity
to learn about the struggle with identity”
“Outstanding!!”
“Another great & courageous panel.”
“It was good timing for these presenters. At this point in the day I
appreciated their humour”
“Overwhelming”
“Very informative”
“Excellent Panel! I commend you in including these speakers in the
conference”
“Very interesting culture”
“All of the presenters were fantastic! I probably got the most out of this –
the presenters were real!”
“Well picked panel…Bruce’s 4 key points at (the) end (were) very helpful…I
will definitely be changing our intake/assessment form”
“The best panel I’ve heard on gender, identity, and mental health. What
courage!”
“Not sure if it is a culture, though?
19
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:19
10/5/05 11:21:26 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 54 people (37%)
Discussion Group 2
“Power, Culture, Equity and Mental Health Promotion”
August 16, 2005 ~ 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Yes!
Did you integrate key concepts
introduced throughout the day?
Did you gain an understanding of
the ways ‘power’, ‘culture’ and
‘equity’ apply to your life and
work?
Did the discussion group support
your knowledge building?
Did the discussion group your skill
development?
Did the discussion group help
strengthen your peer network?
Maybe Not
Really
2
1
4%
2%
3
1
5%
2%
No!
32
62%
33
60%
Some
What
16
31%
17
31%
32
62%
21
43%
26
52%
12
23%
13
26%
13
26%
3
6%
7
14%
8
16%
1
2%
2
4%
1
2%
4
8%
6
12%
2
4%
1
2%
1
2%
Comments:
“It’s good to talk to everyone. I like the fact that’s it’s a constant group.”
“Would of preferred a discussion group twice during the day”
“I didn’t find the discussion sessions in large group helpful…Adult learning
theory would have more opportunities to apply the knowledge learned”
“We have a great group…very lively discussion”
“By the end of the day, we are basically done – we did have much
discussion but I’m not sure how productive it was. We are building a peer
network.”
“Very good information”
“The main group missed was people with a physical disability…”
“Did not participate too long a day to focus in a discussion from 4:30 to
5:30pm”
“These discussion sessions are essential for participants – I find them very
useful”
“Poor attendance partly due to overlap of focus groups”
20
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:20
10/5/05 11:21:27 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 15 people
Focus Groups
“The Mental Health Promotion Practitioner as an Agent of
Self-determination: Reflections on Mental Health Promotion
as a Transformative Practice”
Yes!
Did you gain an understanding of how
cultural, professional and organizational
forms of power impact on practice?
Did you gain an understanding of how
the MHP practitioner might draw on
these forms of power within their own
work to facilitate self-determination and
increased mental health equity?
12
Some Maybe
What
3
80%
20%
11
4
73%
27%
Not
Really
No!
Comments:
“Needed more time. I felt that the core ideas and sharing were only beginning to
emerge when it was time to leave”
“I found this experience to provide a good opportunity for reflection. Would be
interested in participating in another similar focus group should the opportunity
arise”
“Recognizing the impact I could have on other people, the projects they are
involved in when fulfilling my ‘agenda’. And the position of my self as a
professional in the ‘pecking order’ has been a real eye opener. I’ll walk softly…etc.
Thanks”
21
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:21
10/5/05 11:21:28 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Tuesday, August 16th, 2005
Total Respondents: 30 people (21%)
1. What is your key insight from today?
“Healing power of relationships”
“Greater awareness of a broad range of issues and challenges faced by
many different groups of people”
“Must be open to new ways of doing things”
“It made me realize the programs we deliver lack diversity. They are very
much geared to the norms of society.”
“Rising to my level of incompetence!”
“Ethical Space” ( 53% of participants stated ethical space)
“Being human & losing titles” (W. Ermine)
“Celebrate your uniqueness”
“Sense of importance of considering group culture dynamics yet always
being with the individual as an individual”
“Individual context and history is so important-reinforced”
“Value & richness of diversity in our population”
“Richness of rural landscapes”
“Do not assume –listen”
“Gender issues”
2. What is one way that you can apply your learning from today?
“I was enlightened on Aboriginal issues which I think we need to enhance
in the services we deliver”
“Consider more often that I operate in a white, European model not the
‘Cree’ perspective”
“Being conscious of other people’s landscapes and of assumptions.”
22
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:22
10/5/05 11:21:29 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
“Value & Appreciate diversity”
“Remember to take time to look at context, landscapes & listen”
“To respect local knowledge and my own knowledge-less reliance on
experience”
“To look at forms…make sure they allow clients the ability to choose their
sexual identity”
“Keep working and trying to be a change agent”
3. Based on today’s experiences, what is one thing you wish to learn
more about?
“Cree Culture – the more you learn, the more incompetent you feel”
“Gender/sexuality”
“Dr Williams concepts of Power & Landscapes/Agency”
“How to obtain that ‘ethical space’ with my clients and their families”
“Rural Health Issues”
“Aboriginal Healing talking circles”
“Ethical Space”
“I would like more advice about hands on type of programming”
4. Other Comments:
“Additional discussion group would have been beneficial to process some
of the key messages”
“Not enough time to interact with speaker…”
“Very thought provoking & a lot of info”
“I think there is some avenues of connection and understanding in those
feelings between groups”
23
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:23
10/5/05 11:21:30 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondent: 84 people (58%)
“Sticks and Stones: Why is
Understanding Power & Politics
of Words Important for Mental
Health Promotion”
Dr. Caroline L. Tait
Yes
Did you find the presentation
informative?
69
83%
63
Did you gain and an understanding of 79%
what it means to apply a critical lens to
the categories used to describe and
understand people?
Did you gain an understanding of why
65
this critical perspective is important to
73%
mental health promotion?
Will you use the information in your
57
work?
72%
Some
What
11
13%
11
13%
Maybe
No!
2
2%
3
4%
Not
Really
1
1%
2
3%
9
11%
2
2%
5
6%
2
2%
13
16%
7
9%
1
1%
1
1%
1
1%
Comments:
“It would be ideal to develop a conference around this area with the intent of
policy change.”
“Very powerful, causing reflection about language and perspective.”
“Dr. Tait raised some very critical questions as to the cause of FAS/FASD that
makes someone working in Health Promotions step back and revamp how to
assist individuals, families and communities.”
24
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:24
10/5/05 11:21:31 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 84 people (58%)
“Unpacking Mental Health Promotion”
Dr. Allyson McCollam
Yes
Did you find the presentation
informative?
60
75%
50
Did you develop your knowledge of 63%
the theory and practice of mental
health promotion in a range of
contexts?
Will you use the information in your
55
work?
70%
Some
What
18
22%
24
30%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
1
1
1%
1%
2
3
3%
4%
19
24%
3
4%
2
3%
Comments:
“This is what I was looking for from this conference and all the rest have been
“icing”-YUM!! I do wish there was more time afforded to Dr. Allyson’s
presentation…”
“Touched on how to put the theory into practice, which I’ve been waiting for.”
“It’s nice to hear about the processes in other parts of the world and to know that
we are very close to being on the same page with each other.”
“Scotland sounds very much like Sask -”
25
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:25
10/5/05 11:21:32 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 66 people (45%)
Discussion Group 3
“Principles of Effective Mental Health Promotion
Practice”
August 17, 2005 ~ 10:45am – 12:00pm
Yes
Did you integrate key
concepts introduced
throughout the day?
Did the discussion group
you discuss help you
understand what it means to
apply a concept of a “critical
lens’ as this applies to
mental health promotion
practice?
Did the discussion help you
understand what and
effective mental health
promotion practice is?
Did the discussion group
support your knowledge
building and skill
development?
Did the discussion group
help strengthen your peer
network?
Some Maybe Not
No!
What
Really
50
14
1
2
75% 21%
1%
3%
41
19
62% 29%
3
5%
3
5%
43
16
65% 24%
3
5%
4
6%
45
14
68% 21%
5
8%
2
3%
Comments:
“A good chance to debrief.”
26
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:26
10/5/05 11:21:33 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 66 people (45%)
“Integrating Addictions
& Mental Health”
Elaine Malbeuf
Yes
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding of the
role of community consultation in
health service delivery strategic
planning?
Did you gain an understanding of the
importance of acknowledging
underlying root cause issues when
addressing the determinants of
health in aboriginal communities?
Will you use the information in your
work?
58
78%
51
70%
Some
What
13
18%
16
22%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
1
2
1%
3%
2
4
3%
5%
41
58%
20
28%
6
8%
3
4%
43
59%
21
29%
6
8%
3
4%
1
1%
Comments:
“Excellent to hear and see some success stories and yes we can empower the
community.”
“Capacity building within staff requires a safe open humble environment. That’s
what stood out to me.”
“Very informative - especially the practical agenda outlining specific and useful
programming ideas and options wonderful!”
27
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:27
10/5/05 11:21:34 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 76 people (52%)
“Mental Health in
the Workplace:
A Work/Life Balance”
Dr Judith Martin
Yes
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you enhance increase your
awareness of employment conditions
as a determinant of the mental health
status of employees and their
families?
Did you examine gain an
understanding of workplace change
models which conceptualize the
workplace as a site of mental health
promotion?
Did you feel your capacity to act as
change agent was enhanced by the
information presented?
Will you use the information in your
work?
62
83%
54
74%
Some
What
9
12%
14
19%
Maybe Not
No!
Really
2
2
3%
3%
2
3
3%
4%
46
64%
18
25%
5
7%
3
4%
37
51%
20
28%
12
16%
3
4%
45
63%
12
17%
10
14%
4
6%
Comments:
“Wonderful! Very Practical! We have to make better choices to reduce our stress
and pressure to perform both caring and jobs.”
“I liked that these issues are being addressed and family continues to be
important to some policy makers.”
“On the one hand children need care, on the other hand people love money.
Some go with the norm. Change is a challenge.”
28
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:28
10/5/05 11:21:35 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 76 people (52%)
Discussion Group 4
“Developing Mental Health Promotion Interventions”
August 17, 2005 ~ 3:15pm – 5:00pm
Yes
Did you integrate key
concepts introduced
throughout the day?
Were the questions
asked by your facilitator
helpful in increasing your
knowledge and skills in
developing a mental
health promotion
intervention?
Some
What
45
9
79% 16%
No!
Maybe Not
Really
1
2
2%
4%
44
13
92% 27%
1
2%
Did the discussion group 41
13
help strengthen your peer 71% 22%
network?
2
3%
2
3%
Comments:
“Discussions helped me develop some of my ideas.”
“Again great group. Exceptional discussion today!
“Sharing success stories is great”.
“Missed the discussion group. Exhausted from the last two days although I really
enjoyed the entirety of the agenda of events”.
“Very interesting discussion and helped me with some of the concepts in the
presentations”.
29
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J9382 Booklet.indd Sec1:29
10/5/05 11:21:37 AM
S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Wednesday, August 17th, 2005
Total Respondents: 25 people (17%)
1. What is your key insight from Today?
“To questions my assumptions.”
“To look for the root cause of mental illness and not just the “quick fix”.”
“Structural changes that are necessary in the workplace to become more
family friendly.”
“Caroline Tait’s presentation was a great reminder of the need to question
everything and to discover the true context of research information that we
use.”
“Encouraged to change work structures and encouraged to help others
look at that in their lives, liked FAS talk and not to assume it is aboriginal
issue-it isn’t-it is a national problem, liked practical helps that Scotland
does to promote mental health and well-being.”
“The power and manipulation of terminology is vitally important how we
perceive and reflect on issues. Disempowering to some degree.”
2. What is one way that you can apply your learning from today?
“To consider implementing some of the primary health care strategies
suggested by Dr. McCollum. (i.e. social prescribing, time banks)”
“Examine the breadth of information provided and be consistent about how
I use words and my position in the community.”
“I will continue to ask tough, hard hitting questions.”
“Dr. Tait’s negative and positive labeling as way of approaching categories
used to describe and understand people, culture and power.”
“I can integrate critical thinking more consistently in my work. Will
integrate principles of community development. (i.e. dialogue a point of
readiness)”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
3. Based on today’s experiences, what is one thing you wish to learn
more about?
“Lifestyle, workplace & society: models for healthy community complete
with gender analysis.”
“Power social relations.”
“How to involve the community into policy, decision making and ownership
of their “well-being of the whole community.”
“How other practices are conducted in other health regions everywhere.”
“Dr. McCollum’s presentation was very informative. I would have
appreciated more details.”
4. Other Comments:
“Too many evaluation forms. I don’t feel that I can do justice to all
presenters.”
“I enjoyed the summer school very much. Well put together. Interesting
speakers.”
“Having hard copies of presenter’s information/power point presentations
very valuable.”
“Today was the most informative and enjoyable so far. The strengths
include:
*some concrete Mental Health Promotion examples
*adequate time for group discussion
*the day ended at an appropriate time
*group members contributed with insights and enthusiasm.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Thursday, August 18th, 2005
Total Respondents: 51 people (40%)
“Making the links
between Policy,
Practice, &
Organizational
Capacity: The Scottish
Experience”
Dr. Allyson McCollam
And “Making the links
between Policy,
Practice &
Organizational
Capacity: Local
Response”
Greg Drummond, Mary Martin-Smith, Mary Bartrum
Yes
Did you find the presentations
informative?
Did you increase your understanding of
steps that can could be undertaken to
build capacity for mental health
improvement, learning from experience in
Scotland?
Was the panel response helpful in getting
an overview of what the key challenges
and opportunities for implementing a
mental health promotion agenda might
be in Saskatchewan?
Will you use the information in your
work?
Maybe
38
78%
32
64%
Some
What
8
16%
12
24%
Not
Really
3
6%
5
1%
1
2%
33
67%
11
22%
4
8%
1
2%
30
61%
11
22%
7
14%
1
2%
No!
Comments:
“It was great to see some practical linking of information we received about
societal issues and how we can address them.”
“Very much appreciated the presentation. Would have liked more time on some
of the specifics. (i.e. evaluation)”
“It was very relevant in developing any type of capacity in any sector of health
promotion. Always taking into consideration the language, readiness, and the
communities own desire to work with their partners and ability to understand their
supports that are available.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Thursday, August 18th, 2005
Total Respondents: 49 people (34%)
Discussion Group 5
“Local Challenges: Policy, Practice, & Organizational Capacity”
Implications for Practice & Research
Yes
Did the discussion help you to
you integrate key ideas
introduced in the morning’s
keynote and panel response?
Did the group discussion give
you insight into policy,
practice and organizational
challenges and opportunities
for implementing a mental
health promotion agenda in
Saskatchewan?
Did the discussion group help
strengthen your peer
network?
Did you think the research
topics raised are relevant to
your practice?
Are you interested to
participate in an applied
mental health promotion
initiative and if so what sort of
things would make you want
to participate? Please
comment –
Some
What
28
11
70% 28%
Maybe
Not
Really
24
15
59% 37%
2
49%
27
11
66% 27%
2
5%
1
2%
27
7
68% 18%
4
10%
2
5%
23
5
66% 14%
5
14%
0
No!
1
3%
2
6%
Comments:
“Mary Martin was very well versed and easy to listen to. I was appreciative of
hearing the goals and valuing the First nation communities own wisdom.”
“The caring people I had in my group.”
“Final group was very productive and excellent for idea sharing. Good facilitator.”
“All of our group discussions were excellent.”
“We need to find a process to acknowledge injustices done within our systems to
people’s mental wellbeing (apology for harm done by Residential schools) and
have consequences (i.e. charges for crimes-sexual abuse). Should be doing
research to how the agriculture crisis is affecting people’s mental wellbeing
(including children and youth) if even to give acknowledgment to the suffering
that is being experienced.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Thursday, August 18th, 2005
Total Respondents: 49 people (34%)
“Creating Caring
Communities through
Intersectoral Partnerships:
Putting Mental Health
On the Agenda”
Dr. James Irvine
Yes!
Did you find the presentation
informative?
Did you gain an understanding to
the key ideas for intersectoral
action on mental health
determinants?
Did you gain ways in which you can
take this forward into their own
practice?
Some Maybe Not
No!
What
Really
35
5
87.5% 12.5%
33
5
1
85%
13%
2%
32
82%
6
15%
1
3%
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Comments:
“Wonderful wrap-up-it was nice to hear the familiar language of “Saskatchewan
made PHP”. I found it energy sapping to deal with many different terms and
jargon and to constantly being translating into my frame of reference.”
“Very informative and effectively summed up the information through the week.”
“This presentation reflected all challenges and questions we came up within our
groups. Very good presentation.”
“Excellent speaker! He has an incredible sense of knowledge.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Thursday, August 18th, 2005
Total Respondents: 19 people (13%)
1. What is your key insight from today?
“Feel like my communities are on the right track with a little of support and
know how, I think we can accomplish many wonderful things. “The Sky is
the Limit”
“Everyone from across the province seems to have same issues and
challenges.”
“Getting our hope back –authentic caring.”
“Need to rename or broaden the term MH and use the same promotional
lessons from in motion, etc. MH or well being could easily be tied in and
this be recognized as an enormous need in our communities.”
“Ideas about moving from front line to policy and back again, inclusive of
all levels/stakeholders.”
2. What is one way that you can apply your learning from today?
“Be involved in more agency’s & policy makers’ discussion.”
“Empower youth leaders with mental health strategies.”
“Direct applications to specific strategy we’re working on.”
3. Based on today’s experiences, what is one thing you wish to learn
more about?
“Capacity Building- Evidence into practice training Allyson’s presentation
was excellent.”
“Direct application to specific strategy we are working on.”
“Be involved in more agency’s and policy makers’ discussion.”
4. Other Comments:
“Enjoyed this summer school very much. Mental Health and community
development go hand in hand.”
“Great work. Can’t wait to see what next year well be like! I’ll definitely
invite my colleagues.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Summer School ~ Overall Assessments
Total Respondents: 54 people (37%)
1. What I liked the most about Summer School 2005…..
“Well organized-provision of binders, the combination of academia and
experienced learners. Variety of presenters and good food.”
“The diversity of topics and that move from specific issues to overall
strategies.”
“My discussion group.”
“The opportunity to network, the opportunity to be immersed in “PHP”
thinking, Nola, and evidence to support the direction we need to go.”
“I really enjoyed the fact that Aboriginal perspectives were incorporated
into the agenda-yet I strongly felt that more was needed.”
“The way we moved from theory/philosophy to practical application.”
“The wonderful information from, Ovide Mercredi, Willie Ermine,
Caroline Tait.”
“Meeting new people and networking.”
2. What I liked the least about Summer School 2005….
“Would appreciate more breaks for physical activity to “re-energize”…”
“I was disappointed in Ovide Mercredi’s talk and very disappointed that
he did not participate the next day.”
“Too much sitting and listening to Academia”
“Include vegetables in the nutrition break.”
“Rooms were cold”
“Many 1st Nations organizations esp. in the North weren’t here.”
“The long day.”
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“Parking!!”
“I think that the U of S could have found a better MC for Tuesday.”
“Sessions are too limited for time.”
3. The thing(s) I will take home with me from Summer School 2005
are….
“Being open to dialogue with different people in a different way.”
“Leave my agenda at the door.”
“Awareness of my incompetence, a great appreciation and
understanding of Aboriginal culture [and] increased knowledge
regarding Northern communities memories of some of our group
discussion.”
“Theoretical concepts of self-determination, ethical space. Important for
dialogue and listening and starting where the people want to start, not
where we want them to start. To journey with them, beside them- not to
“make” them follow.”
“Lots of material and resources that I will definitely refer to.”
“Knowledge, contacts and renewed enthusiasm.”
“Expert by experience”
“Ethical Space”
4. Something(s) I learned at Summer School that will affect my work
are…
“I need to listen to what clients and communities are saying.”
“Taking the time to think about my own Mental Health.”
“Be patient-keep being hopeful.”
“Ethical Space & Critical Lens.”
“More understanding towards Health Promotion.”
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“Program planning will include more groups of people.”
“Reducing power imbalance with client.”
“Listen & Learn.”
“A greater understanding of health promotion as a societal process that
supports and interacts with individuals”
Learning Groups:
1. The Discussion group as a contributor to my learning
was….
“Peer support, learn from other experiences.”
“Networking.”
“One-on-one best stories are always enlightening. The opportunity to
“unload” is important.”
“Very informative.”
“I always learn more from small group discussion than from
speakers. Different opinions.”
“Disappointing – our group never really became a working unit”
2. The Facilitator’s work with the group was….
“Respectful of the group process.”
“Informal however supportive.”
“Very patient & calm.”
“Encouraging, inclusive, sensitive and warm.”
“Good in letting the group discuss issues that they wanted to.”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Progress On
Personal Learning Objectives:
1. My organization had certain expectations of me as a result of
my attending Summer School 2005. I am confident I can meet
those expectations.
Strongly Agree
Scale
Results
5
14
30%
Strongly Disagree
4
21
46%
3
8
17%
2
2
4%
1
1
2%
Comments:
“Difficult to liaise with people due to demanding workloads…even
though this is important to do.”
“As a team leader to develop a mental health promotion strategy for our
Health Region I was very disappointed that this school focused more on
the problems rather then finding solutions.”4
“Some very potent challenges loom in terms of consensus
territory/jurisdiction and paradigms of hierarchy.”
4
This comment needs to be viewed in light of Health Regions currently working with Saskatchewan
Health to develop mental health promotion strategies for populations they serve. Accordingly the Regions
are needing to acquire related knowledge and skills development within a relatively short time frame.
However, given the complexities of population groups, mental wellbeing contexts and determinants, mental
health promotion practice needs to be strongly grounded in theory and conceptual frameworks that invite
people to be critical about the worldviews and assumptions that inform practice. These form the
fundamentals of any effective intervention and as such the ground work needs to be laid, informing the
practical application of the “how to”. For a fuller discussion of these issues please see the Final Summary
Section.
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Summer School ~ Overall Assessments
Total Respondents: 57 people
2. I had certain expectations for my learning as a result of
attending Summer School 2005. I am confident I have met my
expectations.
Strongly Agree
Scale
Results
5
14
28%
Strongly Disagree
4
20
40%
3
9
18%
2
6
12%
1
1
2%
Comments:
“My expectation was to find alternatives to deal with mental health.
However, I got more than that. I feel very confident that our workplace will
change”
“…I also learned more about who does what in Saskatchewan”
“Summer school on a personal level (understanding historical issues in the
province, etc) was interesting. On a work level (what I can use in my
practice) I did not come away with a lot. However I would still rate this as a
positive experience”
“Helped me to re-gain and re-member a MHP perspective”
“I guess I am more ‘Scottish’. I would of preferred more of the information
Dr. McCollum had”
“I really enjoyed the lecture format…”
“…I did learn lots that can help my volunteer role in community
development”
“Would have liked to work through exercise/worksheets to better integrate
info presented with my personal practice”
“I knew it would be overloading but the discussions helped to keep it in
my head. It is still overwhelming what ideas people have. These ideas will
help me in my personal and workplace”
“How do we promote mental health?”
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“My expectations of the summer school were not met. Many of the
presenters focused on the research and academics of the topic vs. (the)
how of mental health promotion”
“Not much new info. but that comes from working community based for a
long time and attending many conferences”
3. My personal learning goals were a good match with the
objectives of Summer School 2005.
Strongly Agree
Scale
Results
5
18
38%
Strongly Disagree
4
19
40%
3
7
15%
2
4
9%
1
1
2%
Comments:
“I found through this summer school my legs to stand on again. I felt I was
floundering a lot at work but now I know my way of thinking is okay. I
know what to do to handle day to day events”
“The program for summer school was very well thought out providing
theory, practice, and application. Discussion groups helped me to transfer
theory into practical ‘how to do’”
“The main benefit was an affirmation and stretching of the ‘context’ of the
community in which we live and work…”
“Mostly great…just would of liked more specific tools to take home
(indicators-evaluation)”
“Very educational”
(Rated a 5)”But I don’t think Summer School achieved the objectives set
out in the outline. This is unfortunate because I think these were great
objectives”
“A lot of time spent on context and not on the doing”
“Not enough practical examples to use in the planning and care settings”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Other Comments & Suggestions
Anything else you’d like us to know?
“How to sell the idea of mental health promotion to our community health
boards and mangers”
“I was moved spiritually throughout the conference”
“The material provided and the binder set up were the best I’ve ever had.
Well organized event and energizers were most welcome”
“Great panel presenters/presenters & especially Ovide Mercredi & Willie
Ermine”
“Too Long”
“Ļ Academic focus, Ĺ Practical”
“It is evident that a lot of time and effort and work was involved with the
preparation for this school. Organizers were very friendly and helpful”
“Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona (after dinner presentation)…would make an
excellent plenary speaker next year!”
“Wonderful experience; very thought provoking…Thank you for choosing
this theme & bringing exciting, dynamic speakers and participants together
to learn/exchange ideas”
“Allow for more network time & skill development time”
“Do not leave learning groups for last event of the day…do not plan on
shared rooms for learning groups”
Suggestions for next time?
“Small door prizes to get everyone in on time”
“I feel that attempts to create more dialogue among participants would
have opened the door to more understanding”
“You need to focus on one topic and concentrate on expanding, building,
and challenging participants on this knowledge area. In the future It would
be good to incorporate more strengths based perspectives to your
workshop”
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“Extra day, the days were too long”
“Do a great job again and please allow time for the speakers”
“Does ‘privacy’ prevent the sharing of address/contact information of the
participants…I still refer to my list from previous years…”
“…more movement, reflection times built in…”
“Allow time for comments and questions…”
“Best practice on GHP”
“Different time management…Always felt rushed”
“Make sure evaluation forms are not on the same page as speakers bios”
“One more day”
The highlight of the week for you?
“Dr. Allyson McCollum’s lecture – how things can be done different and
better”
“Entertainment…”
“Willie Ermine”
“Panel Discussions””
“The connections with people with great ideas. The groups really enhanced
that”
“Ovide Mercredi’s presentation”
“The keynote speakers and presenters offered much to digest and think
about”
“Dr. Caroline Tait-FAS”
“Great campus location”
“Lewis Mehl-Madrona’s presentation was a “crowning glory” for me”
“Analysis and challenging assumptions”
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Background Information
1. Is this your first participation in Summer School in Saskatoon
held by PRHPRC?
Yes, this is the first time for
me
No, I attended Summer
Schools in the past
44 respondents
79%
12 respondents
21%
2. How long have you been in your current position of
employment?
1 Year or under
2 – 5 Years
6-9 Years
11-19 Years
20 or over
21 respondents
13 respondents
12 respondents
3 respondents
2 respondents
41%
25%
24%
6%
4%
• Many people had been in practice for a longer period of time
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Final Summary
Overall the feedback from the Summer School is that people found it to be a very
positive learning experience with learning themes very appropriate to
contemporary mental health promotion issues, practice contexts and challenges.
Participant’s feedback consistently notes the strength in the flow of the program,
from theory to practice to praxis, the overall organization and planning, and the
high level of personal engagement people felt with the event. Probably one of the
most consistent comments in participant evaluations is that if anything the
program was too full, which left participants feeling overwhelmed at times and
generally needing more space to discuss and absorb the concepts they’d been
exposed to.
The discussion groups served as an important learning and de-briefing forum
which gave people the space to more fully understand and begin to practically
apply concepts and ideas. Generally the feedback from both participants and
group facilitators is very good. Facilitators commented on how well the guidelines
for facilitators had been laid out and the generous amount of back up and
support that was offered by the trainers. On the improvement side, at times the
numbers in a few of the discussion groups were very low and along side this,
participants report preferring to have some of the discussion groups earlier in the
day and closer to some of the key information presented. This indicates that
while some of the background preparation and facilitator training for the groups
was very well done, that the overall placement, frequency and organization of the
discussion groups within the program needs to be rethought and used to inform
planning for the next summer school.
The Summer School theme “Taking a population health promotion approach to
mental well-being: identity, power, and culture” appears to have been a very
appropriate choice given mental health disparities between populations,
contemporary mental well-being contexts and challenges. The strong focus on
Aboriginal content was very well received as was the emphasis on different
cultural groups and the panel discussions which made more transparent the
interplay of power and culture dynamics as these influence the mental well-being
of these populations. Both panel discussions “Landscapes of Self Determination:
Migrant, Rural, and Service Users” and “Expanding our Understanding of
Culture: Sexuality, Gender, and Mental Health” were generally thought by
participants to be extremely powerful in highlighting these issues.
While participants applauded the specific Aboriginal focus in the program, it is
also evident that many participants would have liked this to be stronger. This
appears to be more of a comment about the lack of health promotion learning,
networking and knowledge exchange forums available for Aboriginal practitioners
and those working with these populations to come together. Alongside this
participant evaluations suggest that to some extent Northern Saskatchewan
representation could have been stronger – this is likely due to the inaccessibility
of Saskatoon as a learning venue for some Northern Saskatchewan residents
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and the associated costs of attending the Summer School. This suggests the
need for alternative learning forums in the North.
Meeting learning objectives
With respect to specifically meeting learning objectives, participant satisfaction is
positive - 76% and 68% of respondents feel they’ve been successful in meeting
learning objectives with regard to organizational and personal learning
expectations respectively5.
Some participants would have liked more of a focus in the Summer School
program in terms of the practical application of skills. This is hardly surprising
given that a key task for the Health Regions in Saskatchewan is to develop
mental health promotion strategies. (Allyson McCollam’s presentation was highly
valued in this respect). However, given the complexities of population groups,
mental wellbeing contexts and determinants, mental health promotion practice
needs to be strongly grounded in theory and conceptual frameworks that invite
people to be critical about the worldviews and assumptions that inform practice.
These form the fundamentals of any intervention and as such the ground work
needs to be laid, informing the practical application of the “how to”. Given this
has now occurred through the summer school, a series of more in-depth
workshops on specifically developing strategies, interventions and
evaluation frameworks is a logical next step.
From the perspective of the Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre
and the Summer School Organizing Committee, it has been a very satisfying
event to have planned and hosted. Some of our meetings, particularly when we
were brain storming and the “sky is the limit” were particularly satisfying! This
was the first time the Summer School had occurred in Saskatchewan since 2002
and for the first time under new directorship of the host organization (PRHPRC).
Two key changes have occurred which need to inform future Summer School
and learning workshop planning:
•
The new director of PRHPRC is tenure track with Extension Division and
is accountable for the Centre’s activities to the Deans of the College of
Medicine and Extension Divisions, University of Saskatchewan. Part of her
official university mandate is to plan and organize educational events.
However, while the Centre’s Strategic plan includes training and
educational events as a key objective, it is primarily an applied and
academic research centre whose funding sources are largely from
research grants. Long term sustainability is a key issue currently being
addressed within the Strategic Plan. This occurs within the larger context
5
These percentages include those who gave these questions a 5 or 4 rating – i.e. strongly agree or agree that
they had met these objectives at the Summer School.
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of increasing pressure on University-based research Centre’s to bring in
research dollars.
•
The funding that PRHPRC received under the auspices of the Heart
Health Program from 1998 – 2003 has some to an end. Nearly all previous
PRHPRC staff were hired under these project funds. This project included
a significant amount of monies from Saskatchewan Health; the conditions
attached to the use of these funds were very flexible and a significant
amount was available to PRHPRC to use for the Summer Schools.
Summer School organizing roles were previously undertaken by four FTE
PRHPRC staff with ‘in-house knowledge’. In contrast, the 2005 Summer
School Coordinator had to be hired from an outside organization on a part
time basis, making some of the coordinating and coming up to speed
aspects challenging. Fundraising for this year’s Summer School was
undertaken entirely by the Director of PRHPRC who under present
conditions would not be able to devote such significant amounts of time to
this in the future. While Summer School is inherently valuable, it does not
directly generate research proposals and support Centre financial
sustainability.
In many respects the PRHPRC is well positioned to host future Summer Schools
and learning events. The centre has strong external and university networks, a
successful and continued track record in these events and a Director who was a
practitioner long before she was an academic. In assessing the overall
effectiveness and future success of Summer School’s the following proposal and
recommendations are made:
1. Funding:
¾In the ‘off year’ partners of PRHPRC continue to financially support
learning events
¾Monies would be used to support a trainer (0.5 FTE) based at
PRHPRC who would dedicate an appropriate number of hours per
week on learning event activities which would be linked to the biannual summer schools and the development of a Provincial Training
Strategy;
¾Partners would maintain a consistent annual budget allowance for the
purpose of supporting training goals
2. Role – the trainer would undertake two main roles – education and
networking. They would:
¾Create and develop workshops, and undertake research and
preparation toward the next years learning event;
¾Ensure linkages are made between current research and practice for
capacity building and knowledge translation
¾Encourage health-related policies and programs that support health
promotion initiatives
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¾Build and strengthen networks within the Province and Western
Region
¾Identify the regions specific health promotion learning needs
¾Maintain the momentum of Summer School via being aware of health
promotion trends and
¾Link communities, practitioners, researchers and policy makers
4. Benefits:
¾Benefits of a trainer include: learning opportunities/support to health
regions and practitioners; maintenance of relationships and continuity
with committee members and financial partners;
¾By year end, trainer has established a conduit of communication/
feedback between communities, health regions, practitioners to help
identify and develop the bi-yearly Summer School program
¾Utilization of established systems of communication to assist the Centre’s
Director in the development of a mutually beneficial learning event
amongst partners
¾Alleviates developmental pressures of Summer School on PRHPRC
Director, staff and committee members in the year of the event
In closing,
Thank you, once again, to all our committee members, partners and participants
in helping to make Summer School 2005 such a success. We look forward to
continued mutually beneficial relationships and exciting future Summer School
learning events.
Warm Regards,
Dr Lewis Williams,
Director, Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre.
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S u m m er S ch ool 2005 ~ M e nt a l H e a l t h P r o mo t i o n : I d e nt i t y, C u l t u r e a nd P owe r
Health Promotion Summer School Agenda
Monday, August 15, 2005
11:00am-1:00pm
Registration: Place Riel Room 241
1:00pm-2:15pm
Welcome and Opening Keynote by
Dr. Lewis Williams
2:15pm-3:00pm
Entertainment
3:00pm-3:45pm
“High/Low Tea”
3:45pm-5:00pm
Discussion Groups
6:00pm-8:30pm
Formal Banquet and Keynote by
Ovide Mercredi “The Impact of
Colonization on Mental Well Being”
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
8:30am-9:30am
Keynote by Dr. Caroline Tait “Sticks
and Stones: Why is Understanding
Power and Politics of Words Important
for Mental Health Promotion?”
9:30am-10:30am
Keynote by Dr. Allyson McCollum
“Unpacking Mental Health
Promotion”
10:30am-10:45am
Break
10:45am-12:00pm
Discussion Groups
12:00pm-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00pm-3:00pm
Best Practices by Elaine Malbeuf
“Integrating Addictions and Mental
Health” and by Dr. Judith Martin
“Mental Health in the Workplace: A
Work/Life Balance”
3:00pm-3:15pm
Break
3:15pm-5:00pm
Discussion Groups: Developing
Mental Health Promotion
Interventions
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
8:30am-9:30am
Keynote by Willie Ermine “Ethical
Space”
9:30am-10:30am
Open Discussion with Willie Ermine
and Ovide Mercredi, discussent led
by Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona
10:30am-11:00am
Break
11:00am-12:00pm
Keynote by Dr. Lewis Williams
“Landscapes of Self Determination:
Power, Culture and Equity”
12:00pm- 1:00pm
Lunch
1:00pm-2:15pm
Panel Discussion “Landscapes of Self
Determination. Power, Culture and
Equity: Migrant, Rural, and Service
Users”
2:15pm-2:45pm
Open Discussion
2:45pm-3:15pm
Break
3:15pm-4:15pm
Panel Discussion “Expanding Our
Understanding of Culture: Sexuality,
Gender and Mental Health”
4:30pm-5:30pm
1. Discussion Groups: Integrating
the Keynotes
2. Focus Group Invitation:
Reflections on Practice
7:30pm
After Dinner Invitation Presentation
by: Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona
“Coyote Medicine: Contributors of
Aboriginal Culture to Health Care”
Thursday, August 18, 2005
8:30am-9:45am
Keynote by Dr. Allyson McCollum
“Making the Links between Policy,
Practice and Organizational Capacity:
The Scottish Experience”
9:45am-11:00am
Round Table Discussions “Local
Challenges: Policy, Practice and
Organizational Capacity. Implications
for Practice and Research.”
11:00am-11:30am
Break
11:30am-12:30am
Closing Plenary by Dr. James Irvine
“Creating Caring Communities
Through Intersectoral Partnerships:
Putting Mental Health on the Agenda”
1:00pm-2:00pm
Celebration Lunch and Farewells
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